Mariners manager Eric Wedge expects Michael Saunders (groin) to return to the lineup Friday. Saunders, who is batting .246/.300/.414 with 14 homers this season, has missed the last six games with a groin injury. Trayvon Robinson will head back to the bench.

Michael Saunders (groin) is out of the Mariners' starting lineup again on Tuesday night. Saunders has now missed four consecutive games because of a minor groin strain. He'll try to return Wednesday.

Michael Saunders (groin) is out of the starting lineup again Monday against the Twins. Saunders hasn't played since suffering a minor right groin strain in a collision with teammate Eric Thames in Friday's game. He remains day-to-day for now. Franklin Gutierrez, who was activated from the disabled list Monday, will start in center field.

Michael Saunders went 3-for-5 with a pair of two-run homers to lead the Mariners to a 5-3 win over the Indians on Monday. After opening August 5-for-50 with no RBI in 12 games, Saunders has busted out with seven hits, three of them homers, in his last three games. He's certainly exceeded expectations this year with 27 doubles, 13 homers and 17 steals, but the Mariners should want to see more than a .300 OBP before they pencil him in as a regular for 2013.

Michael Saunders went 0-for-4 in Monday's loss and is 4-for-42 with no RBI this month. Saunders was a pleasant surprise for the Mariners in the first half, but he's struggled mightily since the All-Star break. The Mariners don't figure to reduce his role, since they need to figure out how he fits into their plans for 2013, but they could drop him in the lineup.

Michael Saunders returned to action on Saturday August 4.

Michael Saunders delivered a two-run single off Alex Cobb in the first inning Saturday, which proved the difference in the Mariners' 2-1 victory over the Rays. Saunders is quietly having a very productive season in the Seattle outfield, boasting a .260 batting average with nine homers, 33 RBI and 13 steals. With Franklin Gutierrez struggling to get back on the field due to concussion issues, Saunders will continue to man center field on a nightly basis.

Michael Saunders went 2-for-3 as the Mariners were shut out by Matt Harrison and the Rangers on Sunday. Saunders has been a pleasant surprise in the Mariners outfield this season, hitting .258 with eight homers, 28 RBI and 13 stolen bases. On a night where the Mariners could only muster five total hits, Saunders was the star of the show with his 2-for-3 effort.

Michael Saunders returned to action on Tuesday July 3.

Michael Saunders (illness) is back in the Mariners' starting lineup on Tuesday against the Orioles. Saunders had missed four straight games due to flu-like symptoms. The 25-year-old outfielder is batting .258/.319/.427 with eight homers and 24 RBI in 75 games.